Slater Martin
Slater Martin was born in Elmina, Texas. He played college basketball at Texas in 1943-44 and 1946-1949. Martin averaged 12.7 points per game as a Longhorn. Martin played for the Minneapolis Lakers, New York Knicks, and St. Louis Hawks. He was a 7 time NBA All-Star. He won 4 NBA Titles with the Lakers and 1 with the Hawks. He was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame on May 3, 1982. His Jersey was retired at Texas on January 31, 2009. His jersey was the second jersey retired at Texas.
T.J. Ford
Terrance Jerod Ford was born in Houston Texas. He played his college basketball at the University of Texas. Ford played 2 seasons for the Longhorns before heading into the NBA. As a freshman, Ford led the nation in assists with 8.27 per game. He led Texas to the Sweet Sixteen and was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year. As a sophomore, Ford led the Longhorns to the Final Four and earned the honors of, All-American First Team and All-Big 12 First Team. He also won the Naismith College Player of the Year Award, The John Wooden Player of the Year, Sports Illustrated Player of the Year, and Sporting News Player of the Year to recognize him as the best college player in the country. He then declared for the NBA and was selected 8th by the Milwaukee Bucks. He was named to the All-Rookie Second Team. He sat out the next season with a spinal cord contusion and then was traded to Toronto Raptors. 2 years later, he was traded to the Indiana Pacers form there and after the lockout signed with the San Antonio Spurs. He retired after 14 games with the Spurs. Ford's #11 jersey was retired by the Texas Longhorns making his jersey the first basketball jersey retired at Texas.
LaMarcus Aldrige
LaMarcus Aldrdige was born in Dallas, Texas. He played his college basketball at the University of Texas. Aldridge played at Texas for 2 seasons before going to the NBA. At Texas, he earned honors such as NABC All-American Third Team, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Big 12 All-Defensive Team, and All Big 12 First Team. In the NBA, Aldridge plays for the Portland Trail Blazers. He was drafted 2nd overall by the Chicago Bulls, but traded to the Trail Blazers. At the end of his rookie season, he was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson White Syndrome and missed the last 8 games. His NBA honors include, NBA All-Rookie First Team, All-NBA Third Team, and he is a 2 time NBA All-Star.
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant was born in Washington DC on September 29,1988. He played college basketball at the University of Texas at Austin. One of Kevin Durant's most memorable performances came on February 28, 2007 at home vs. Texas A&M. Texas led in the 2nd half, but Texas A&M's Acie Law hit shots to tie the game. He did it again in overtime to send the game to 2OT. Texas jumped out to a lead again in 2OT and held off a rally with the Durant's 3 game sealing free throws. No. 11 Texas won 98-96 over No. 6 Texas A&M. In that game, Kevin Durant had 30 points, 16 rebounds, 1 steal, and 3 blocks in that game. Durant started all 35 games of the season. He averaged 25.8 points per game, 11.1 rebounds per game, 1.9 steals per game, 1.9 blocks per game, and 1.3 assists per game. Durant won many awards during the season. Durant won awards such as the John R. wooden Award, Adolph Rupp Trophy, Oscar Robertson Trophy, Naismith College Player of the Year, Big 12 Tournament MVP, and many other notable awards. Durant was the first freshman to win the Naismith Award. Durant's jersey was retired by the University of Texas. Durant was drafted 2nd overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2007 NBA Draft. He singed a contract with Nike. Durant now plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder because of the relocation from Seattle. Durant is widely considered one of the best players in the world. Durant has won Gold Medals for Team USA at the FIBA World Championships in 2010 and the London Olympics in 2012. He scored the most points in one tournament in both competitions. His many accolades playing professionally include NBA Rookie of the Year, 3 time NBA scoring champ, 4 time NBA All-Star, 3 time All NBA First Team, NBA All-Rookie First Team, NBA All-Star Game MVP, NBA Rookie Challenge MVP, and 2 time H.O.R.S.E. Champion. Durant lost in his only NBA Finals. He continues to grow as a player at 24 years old.
Some of Kevin Durant's best plays in college. PB
This video demonstrates the excitement players like KD can bring to cities and the kind of crowds they can draw.
By BW
By BW
Damion James
Damian James was born in Hobbs, New Mexico. He played his college basketball at Texas. At Texas, James played with Durant and Augustin in his Freshman Year. He played for 4 seasons at Texas and was a consistent starter. He won Gatorade Player of the Year in 2006. James was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks, but traded to the New Jersey Nets in 2010. In 2012, he was assigned to the NBA D-League Bakersfield Jam. In 2013, He made the NBA D-League All Star Team.
Tristan Thompson
Tristan Thompson was born in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. He played college basketball at Texas for the 2010-2011 season. Thompson started 34 of 36 games and averaged 13.1 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, 1.3 assists per game, .9 steals per game, and 2.4 blocks per game. He was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team, Big 12 All-Defensive Team, Big 12 Freshman of the Year, and Big 12 All-Rookie Team. Thompson was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers with 4th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. In his first season, he worked his way into the starting lineup for the Cavaliers. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
LV (Everything except 2 videos by PB and BW. It is noted where those are.)